I'm loving Carla even more this season. And I loved her during her season.

Randomly, she's one of my celebrity sightings. Last year at Sear's Fine Foods in SF.

Last year at Sear's Fine Foods in SF.

I still haven't been there, even though I walk by it every day on my way to work. I should leave early one day and stop for the pancakes.

I'm thrilled that Jamie is gone (next up, Marcel, I hope) and that Carla had the win. I thought her idea was really great.

Carla demonstrated her real knowledge of the blue fish. The fact that she knew to get rid of the bloodline and then knew how to make a really good New York-themed dish (pumpernickel bagel--brilliant!) with it just trumped Tiffany's version of the same fish.

I should leave early one day and stop for the pancakes.

You totally should!

Kathy, exactly. I had high hopes for both Casey and Tiffani but they both were off their game. I hadn't been a Carla fan before, but after the last few challenges, I'm in her corner. Loved the tennis challenge last week where her whole team thought she was crazy and she pulled out the win.

Agreed. There are some people who come off looking better than they ever did before (Carla is one) and there are others who have destroyed their reputations.

Go Carla!

Carla seems a lot more grounded this time around (no more "cooked with love" defenses). She got there eventually during her season, but this time she's been that way out of the gate.

I was noticing a lack of Carla in early episodes and wasn't sure if she's actually that much more toned down, or if they were just saving her because she was going to last.

Stephanie Izard has been awarded New Restaurant of the Year by the Chicago Tribune (go to image #6 in the photo gallery):

Stephanie Izard -- NEW RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR: GIRL & THE GOAT

Though there were many impressive new restaurants in 2010, among them Epic, Gilt Bar, Henri, Prairie Fire and Sable (it's worth noting that Purple Pig and Sprout opened in 2009), in terms of buzz, impact and excellence, nothing matched Stephanie Izard's "rustic, with a bit of badass" (her term) small-plates gem along Randolph Street. With dishes named Escargot and Goat Balls (meatballs, not the other thing) and Crispy Pig Face, Izard managed to delight and challenge diners, even while smiling, in the midst of cooking, for the cell phone paparazzi. Perhaps more impressive, Girl & the Goat lived up to its hype (fueled by Izard's 2008 "Top Chef" win), stood up to the pressure of being the hottest restaurant in town (you still need a crowbar to get in this place), and even overcame its vaguely suggestive name. Well done.

Girl & the Goat, 809 W. Randolph St.; 312-492-6262

-- Phil Vettel

That's great!